In the biggest shocker so far this offseason, longtime center Myles Turner left the Indiana Pacers, opting to sign a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Turner had long been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, and Golden State Warriors in rumors, although he was never traded, spending ten productive years in Indiana.
The Pacers, it seems, expected and wanted to re-sign him, but he was offered a deal he couldn't refuse by the Bucks, and he recently broke his silence on why he left.
"Ultimately, it was about just staying competitive," Turner summarized. "Two years ago, we got to the Eastern Conference Finals. Obviously, last year we got to the Finals. But, you know, being there, being a part of it, winning basketball, it's just changed my entire perspective on this league. And I saw a chance to remain competitive here. And, you know, Jon, even Doc, has assured me that, you know, winning is a top priority here and we just align with our visions."
Of course, in the past two seasons, the Pacers eliminated the Bucks from the playoffs, so one could easily argue that the Pacers are much more "competitive" than Milwaukee.
Next season, with the loss of Tyrese Haliburton, the Bucks likely will be better than the Pacers, even if Turner had stayed in Indiana. However, once Haliburton returns, expect the Pacers to be right back in the thick of the Eastern Conference, and a postseason showdown between Turner and his old team could easily get chippy.
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